The Parlour Inn is a hotel conveniently located in the heart of beautiful Stratford, Ontario, Canada and is within walking distance of the Stratford Festival theatres. Our Stratford Festival hotel accommodations enable our guests to make the most out of their theatre getaway. Relax as you grab a bite to eat at our in-hotel restaurant, The Parlour Inn Restaurant, and unwind with our extensive wine selection from some of Ontario’s best wineries. Then take in Stratford’s infamous gardens during your strolls to the plays, musicals and productions of the Stratford Festival. The Parlour Inn is the best spot for you to create the perfect date night or evening out with friends when you’re visiting Stratford, Ontario…where the swans are plenty and the culture is always lively.
The Stratford Festival allows theatre-lovers from across Ontario to indulge in exceptional theatre performances and world-renowned plays and productions. Always an exceptional event, this year’s playbill promises to be an absolute favourite for this year's festival attendees. From classical Shakespearean dramas to re-energized contemporary pieces and musical productions, long-time fans of the theatre, as well as new visitors will fall in love with the acting, music, costumes, stage designs and productions that this infamous Ontario theatre festival has to offer.
The Stratford Festival runs annually from April through to November. During this time, theatre companies will put on over a dozen impeccable works between the four Stratford theatres, including:
The Parlour Inn is located just steps from each of the theatres, so our guests never have to worry about struggling to find parking prior to their show, making The Parlour Inn the ideal Stratford Festival hotel. Each production that runs during the Stratford Festival is uniquely wonderful which is why we recommend that you include more than one play during your Stratford Festival getaway to make the most of your experience.
Choose The Parlour Inn for your Stratford Festival accommodations – just 10-minute walk from the Stratford theatres. Enjoy a getaway that includes a world-class theatre experience, an exceptional restaurant and noteworthy service. Make it a theatre-filled weekend or return time and time again to relive your fun-filled experience in Stratford, Ontario and the new plays and productions. Our friendly and informative staff members will always be happy to welcome you and your loved ones back to The Parlour’s upscale hotel rooms and restaurant.
The Stratford Festival's 2025 season, consisting of 11 productions and over 150 events is set to engage and inspire audiences with a diverse array of productions and events. With a commitment to artistic excellence, the festival will showcase powerful storytelling and innovative performances that resonate with contemporary themes and experiences.
As the season unfolds, audiences can look forward to thought-provoking narratives that invite reflection and conversation, celebrating the transformative power of theatre.
The upcoming season will feature a variety of plays, including works by Shakespeare such as As You Like It and Macbeth, well-known adaptions like Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, as well as other notable productions like Dangerous Liaisons, The Winter’s Tale, Forgiveness, and The Art Of War.
Get ready for an unforgettable musical experience! The Festival Theatre will enchant audiences with the beloved classic Annie, filled with heartwarming moments and unforgettable songs. Meanwhile, the Avon Theatre will host the hilarious Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a comedy that will keep you laughing from start to finish. Don’t miss these extraordinary shows, showcasing incredible music and lyrics by talented artists like Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, Jeffrey Lane, and David Yazbek. It’s a musical extravaganza you won’t want to miss!
The upcoming season will feature two exciting commissions: a new adaptation of Anne of Green Gables by Kat Sandler, and Ransacking Troy, an adaptation of The Odyssey and The Iliad, by Erin Shields. “As I was putting together the 2025 season, I began with a few wonderful plays, and one in particular that I have always wanted to direct, Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale,” said Cimolino. “Central to the resolution of this story is the god Apollo, who helps bring harmony to a family ripped apart by passionate conflict.
“Apollo is the God of healing, of music and the arts, of truth and the protection of the young,” he continued. “What a wonderful figure to have at the centre of the season, I thought: a god of harmony, a state we yearn for in this world.” Tickets for the 2025 season will be available for purchase December 16th, with a special early sale for Members of the Stratford Festival November 10th. The events of the Meighen Forum will be announced in the upcoming months. The season will take place from mid-April to October. "I'm immensely proud of the directors and creative teams that have come together to bring these plays to vibrant life," says Cimolino. "With their talent and inspired work there will be a world elsewhere right here in Stratford – and it will be beautiful."
Rediscover Shakespeare's enchanting tale of transformation and resilience in As You Like It, directed by Chris Abraham, whose recent production of Much Ado About Nothing was both a critical and box office success. In a world rocked by political upheaval, the Duke's daughter, Rosalind, finds herself exiled from the city to the countryside. Accompanied by her cousin Celia, the pair embark on a journey of self-discovery, exploring new identities and the prospect of love, all while confronting their deepest fears.
Donna Feore returns with a beloved musical for the whole family! Annie, winner of seven Tony Awards, is one of the most cherished musicals ever created, featuring unforgettable and hummable songs such as "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard Knock Life," and "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile." The story follows the lovable orphan Annie, who is trapped in a harsh orphanage run by the dreadful Miss Hannigan. While dreaming of being reunited with her parents, Annie instead discovers joy with the wealthy Daddy Warbucks, who becomes not only her protector but also her hero, helping to find loving homes for all her friends at the orphanage.
This production of Jane Austen's beloved classic Sense and Sensibility features an adaptation by Katie Hamill, one of today's most exciting and frequently produced playwrights. Under the direction of Daryl Cloran, audiences will be captivated by the vibrancy of Hamill's script, which reflects her genuine love for Austen and classical theatre. Filled with playfulness, humor, and emotional depth, this adaptation offers substantial roles for both women and men—making it an ideal showcase for our exceptional actors. The play follows the Dashwood sisters, who find themselves destitute after the sudden death of their father. As they navigate the complexities of romance and heartbreak, the sisters strive to regain social stability for their family in the gossipy world of 18th-century England.
Set in pre-Revolutionary France, Dangerous Liaisons is a thrilling tale that follows the Marquise de Merteuil and her former lover, the Vicomte de Valmont, as they amuse themselves by plotting the seduction of two virtuous women: the innocent Cécile Volanges and the respectably married Madame de Tourvel. As their cynical game unfolds, the players’ motives grow increasingly complex—and deadly. This adaptation, Dangerous Liaisons, is by Christopher Hampton and is based on the 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos. Hampton also wrote the screenplay for the hugely successful 1988 film starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich. Directed by Esther Jun, this marks the second production of Dangerous Liaisons at the Stratford Festival, following its critically acclaimed debut in 2010.
Set against the glamorous backdrop of the French Riviera, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a razzle-dazzle musical with a book by Jeffrey Lane and music and lyrics by David Yazbek. Based on the film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels written by Dale Launer, Stanley Shapiro, and Paul Henning, this entertaining show follows a charming conman who seduces wealthy women to fund his extravagant lifestyle. When a rival arrives in town, they team up to raise the stakes, only to find themselves in a hilariously fierce competition. Their final con—to determine who is the ultimate hustler—leads to a series of comedic twists and turns, ensuring both men get their just rewards. Originally directed on Broadway by Jack O’Brien, this production is directed by Bobby Garcia, with choreography by Stephanie Graham and music direction by Franklin Brasz. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, made famous by the film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, is brimming with laughs and promises to delight audiences at the Avon Theatre.
Visionary director Robert Lepage takes on Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, a powerful exploration of unchecked corruption and self-interest. Created in collaboration with Ex Machina and set against the backdrop of Quebec's biker gangs, this production reflects on violence and the allegiances that drive it, revealing the horrors that arise when the seeds of evil take root in the soul. Obsessed by omens and spurred on by his wife’s ambition, Macbeth, a once-heroic figure, seizes his destiny through murder and treachery. As he ascends to power, he plunges deeper into tyranny, battling against both real and imagined enemies from all sides, ultimately confronting the consequences of his dark choices.
Anne of Green Gables stands as one of the most iconic Canadian titles. With over 56 million copies sold and translations in 30 languages, this cherished tale has won the hearts of readers around the globe. In this bold adaptation, Kat Sandler brings fresh energy to Lucy Maud Montgomery's timeless tale of imagination, resilience, and the transformative power of love. Set against the idyllic backdrop of Avonlea, the play follows the spirited Anne Shirley, an enchanting orphan whose vivid imagination and unwavering determination lead her on a journey filled with adventure, friendship, and self-discovery. Directed by Kat Sandler, this delightful reimagining promises to charm both longtime fans and newcomers alike, celebrating the enduring magic of Anne’s story.
The Winter’s Tale
Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino brings his vision to one of Shakespeare's most cherished plays, The Winter's Tale, a profound exploration of the complexities of human emotions and their transformative power. The story follows King Leontes, whose unfounded jealousy leads him to accuse his pregnant wife, Hermione, of infidelity, setting off a tragic chain of events that costs him everything he holds dear. As he grapples with the consequences of his actions, Leontes learns that true love can lead to redemption, even after the harshest winter. This late Shakespearean romance weaves themes of wrath, regret, and forgiveness into a richly textured narrative, culminating in one of literature's most heartwarming reunions. With its enchanting surprises and vibrant characters, The Winter's Tale invites audiences to reflect on their deepest fears and highest hopes, promising a journey that is as entertaining as it is poignant.
Adapted from the acclaimed 2018 Canada Reads-winning memoir by Mark Sakamoto, this moving and heartfelt play by Hiro Kanagawa tells the story of Sakamoto's grandparents and their harrowing experiences during the Second World War. In the face of tremendous adversity and horrific transgressions, they chose not to live a life of anger but rather to embrace and teach forgiveness. Directed by Stafford Arima, this deeply moving production invites audiences to reflect on the enduring impact of forgiveness in our lives.
Written by Erin Shields, the acclaimed writer of Paradise Lost, Ransacking Troy offers a captivating reimagining of the Trojan War, told from the perspective of its remarkable women. Directed by Jackie Maxwell and choreographed by Esie Mensah, this engaging adaptation of The Iliad and The Odyssey combines humor with thought-provoking themes. As the war drags on for nine and a half years, Penelope grows weary of waiting for Odysseus to return. In a bold move, she assembles a group of Greek women to embark on a daring journey to Troy. Together, they navigate the complexities of war and strive to forge a new path toward peace, envisioning the future they wish to create. This adventurous retelling invites audiences to reconsider the roles of women in history and the power of collective action.
The Art Of War
During the Second World War, Nick is sent to the front lines as an imbedded painter. What he witnesses, what he paints, will transform not only him, but Canada’s idea of itself. The play is written by Yvette Nolan who has been instrumental in creating and showcasing Indigenous work as a director, playwright, dramaturg, and educator. This moving play will be directed by Keith Barker. Barker is Director of the Festival’s Foerster Bernstein New Play Development Program and the former Artistic Director of Native Earth. He has extensive credits as a director, dramaturge and actor, including his role as Louis Riel in the hit 2023 production of Women of the Fur Trade.